From Psalm 62:1-2, "My soul finds rest in God alone my salvation comes from him. He alone is my Rock and my salvation. He is my fortress I will never be shaken." I put this as the central theme of my blog to remind myself that the Lord is my Rock and my fortress, my only true place of Rest.

Monday, January 25, 2010

95. My husband keeping watch over said little one Saturday afternoon and suggesting I take a nap... apparently a much needed 3 hour nap!

96. Friday night homemade pizza and movie nights (Crust recipe will be coming soon... I didn't realize I do not have it really "written down" yet!)

97. The way the trees look without their leaves right now... beautiful creations!

98. The slate blue sky contrasting against the field grasses and rolling hills background.

99. A soft dusting of snow!

100. Knowing that even though I have this small sickness (cold has turned to sinus infection, I think...), that this too will pass.. Reminding myself of the many truly hurting people around the world both physically and emotionally... O Lord, make me mindful of those hurting in Haiti and around the world. Please, help remind me not to waste, but to use this "slowing time" in our house to pray for for those who are really hurting!

As a friend e-mailed to me this weekend, "things feel kind of gray here". I feel that too... in my spirit and in my physical feelings right now. Thank you, Lord, that you are present even when times are gray and it seems like the sun is absent. Please help us focus our eyes on the SON and remember that you are doing a work, even when our present seems to disguise that work... Help me to trust you more!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

"Courage is not limited to the battlefield or the Indianapolis 500 or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are the inner tests, like remaining faithful when nobody's looking, like enduring pain when the room is empty, like standing alone when you're misunderstood."

— Charles Swindoll

I stumbled upon this Chuck Swindoll quote and found it inspiring and thought provoking... In what ways have you shown courage lately?

Monday, January 18, 2010

82. Enjoying my new bible study (the second time around... has it really already been 10 years?!) (Breaking Free by Beth Moore)

83. Meeting a gal at bible study who has never done a study before! So excited to get to know her and encourage her in her pursuit of Jesus.

84. Sweet rosy baby cheeks :)

85. "City-boy" husband delighting in living in the country... :) "Look! There's an owl!" "Wow, we can see the stars from our window out here!" etc... lots of fun to see the place I grew up near through his eyes of delight.

86. Fog rolling across the fields

87. Pumpkins to make curry pumpkin soup sometime this week...

88. Picking up sticks in our yard

89. Setting up a compost place

90. Reading about creativity!

91. Using my handmade dishrag for the first time. Handmade by me!

92. The joys of winter.. a chance to renew, make plans for the garden, cuddle up with those I hold dear!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

New verse to memorize for end of Jan, beginning of February 2010

Isaiah 61:1-4 (NIV)

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

Monday, January 11, 2010

69. Thankful for "returning" to write down the things I am thankful for!

70. A house to work into making a home... the smallness will just help us be all the more cozy. Oh Lord, I pray you would fill this space with yourself... fill this home with hospitality, kindness, patience, love... fill us up with yourself!

71. My husband enjoying his new job! Also, for the job itself... praise be to the Father!

72. For the future friends the Lord will provide for me here in this new place.

73. For encouragement from friends new and old to trust in Him with all my heart.

74. The beauty of the snow as it sparkles.

75. Washing machine and dryers that work and make the Monday tasks easier...

76. Smiles from my not so little baby... :) So glad she has been entrusted to us!

77. Getting the car back up the hill!

78. Friends celebrating TWENTY years of marriage this month! Praise to the Father!

79. Mama giving me hope through some of her own. Even through her grief, she is reaching out to trust in Him... praise you Jesus!

80. The tea kettle boiling water... and the cup of tea that awaits me soon! :)

About Me

This favorite quote of mine by E. Elliot sums up a lot for me... "When we cry, 'Why Lord?' we should ask instead, 'Why not, Lord? Shall I not follow my Master in suffering as in everything else?'"
Knowing that life is full of difficulty, I still choose to believe in him who called me to himself... loved me and gave himself for ME. I am a passionate follower of Jesus Christ-- I truly know that he IS my everything.
I'm also a really blessed woman with a wonderful husband and sweet little daughter (our first child of... how many, we are not sure yet!)
Overall, I am a woman who is blessed to love the Lord more than my own life and I know that he will use my life for my good and his glory. There is a lot of beauty to be found in life amidst suffering and my response to the challenges I face is more important than the challenges themselves. I desire for him to be glorified in all that I say and do. I cling to him with all that I am.